A panda called Oreo is proof that democracy doesn’t work

Officials have announced that a panda born at the Chengdu Panda Base this August has been named ‘Oreo’ in a vote by panda lovers around the world.The name was suggested by Rebecca Revitch, who is, of course, an American, a contestant in the “Global Search for Chengdu Pambassador 2012”. ‘Oreo’ got the most votes in a poll which also includes ‘Mr Q’ and ‘Lympic’ (the panda was born on the opening day of the London 2012 games).

The name has led to an online debate as Oreo is so different from previous names, such as Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, given to the other pandas. Many people associate it with the cookies and they criticized the program for using panda to advertise for companies.“I’m disappointed and I don’t understand why they give panda a cookie name,” said a commenter called Xu Leilei.“It’s too commercial,” said another, who called himself Yu Zhua. “I protest.”Some people joked about why the organizer didn’t name her Chips Ahoy! or for other food.

That such an exercise in democracy would lead to a Chinese national treasure being named after an inexplicably popular and unhealthy sweet snack owned by a multinational corporate megalith is further proof that democracy is inherently flawed. Thank heaven for the Communist Party of China.